Elway applauds Michael Sam

Someday, the decision of a football player to come out as gay will be met with not even a shrug. To get to that day, however, someone had to be the first.

And so the positive words of support continue for former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam.

“I applaud Michael Sam and wish him the very best as he continues the pursuit of his NFL dream,” Broncos executive V.P. of football operations John Elway said Monday, in a statement released by the team. “As we look toward the Combine and draft, we will evaluate Michael just like any other draft prospect — on the basis of his ability, character and NFL potential. His announcement will have no effect on how we see him as a football player.”

Actually, if character is a factor, Sam’s courage potentially will help him.

“Having spent 16 years in an NFL locker room, the bottom line is that it’s about treating others with respect and earning that respect,” Elway added. “By all indications, it appears Michael has done just that throughout his football career.”

The reality is that plenty of NFL players don’t always treat others with respect, for a variety of reasons and based on many factors. Wherever Sam lands, it’ll be important to ensure that all players understand the organization’s expectations. And if any of them can’t or won’t comply, then they should no longer be part of the organization.

Enough already! Are we going to have to hear from everyone on every team? We get it already. Every person you will speak to will say the same thing whether they truly believe it or not. On a positive note, you stopped trashing Richard Sherman.

Funny you mention that such a decision will someday elicit no more than a shrug.
Thats how most view these decisions today….the only ppl who seem to think it is a ground breaking issue is PFT and the player in question.
Your sexual orientation and what you do in the bedroom & who you do it with….is not my buisness (nor is it the buisness of anyone else).
The less said, the better.
Keep it to yourself.
We have gays, lesbians, and transgenders in all walks of life, and in every sociatal group….so what!?!
Let it go!

This man is not brave… Not all of us agree. Some of us are sick of hearing about gay this, gay that. We need to unite against the gay community. We need to have a rally and fight for normal people. Gay people are not normal. They cannot reproduce. Kids shouldn’t be subjected to the gay community by the media as if it is okay. I don’t agree that it is okay. My opinion matters too.

“Wherever Sam lands, it’ll be important to ensure that all players understand the organization’s expectations. And if any of them can’t or won’t comply, then they should no longer be part of the organization.”

Really?, will whats going to happen when say the Denver Broncos draft the guy and then Peyton Manning decides he will not be forced to take a shower with a man that is attracted to the males.

There is a reason that the team doesn’t take a shower with the cheerleaders and the reason is that men are attracted to women.

Taking a shower with a man that is attracted to men should never be forced on anyone!

I have been in the military now for 18 plus years and thought the same thing was going to happen when they got rid of don’t ask don’t tell. No one would except it and the whole shower controversy. I was pleasantly surprised that it so far has worked well. Everyone keeps saying they don’t care and why do you need to announce it, but if they really did not care they would say nothing.